There’s something extra special about a
wedding where loved ones generously offer their services, whether in the
form of day-of coordination or baking cakes. Jen and Jared’s wedding
was chock-full of special touches like this, thanks to their friends and
family… (also, I am loving Heather Hester‘s photography and am so happy to have her on Snippet & Ink!)

Jen talks about their wedding venue: “Jared
and I have lived in a lot of places, but both of our families are
originally from Louisiana and we wanted that to be reflected in
our wedding. We wanted all of our friends, who’d be visiting from all
over the country and the world to experience at least a little of South
Louisiana. We knew that we wanted to marry outside, and preferred the
porch of the Amand Broussard house at Vermilionville. A few weeks after
we first visited the property, we found out from my grandmother that the
house was the house built by my great-great-great-great-great
grandparents, for their daughter – as a wedding gift! Finding out about
the history of the house cemented the decision. We felt like it was such
a great omen and tied everything together.” Also, how special is that hand-drawn ferry?!

Friends and family helped to bring the
wedding to life, from playing guitar at the ceremony, to arranging
flowers, to baking a variety of cakes for the reception.

What inspired you when you were planning your wedding? I
knew I wanted it to be soft and romantic-sort of English Garden meets
Acadiana. South Louisiana is so beautiful! Also, even though it was a
bigger wedding (my family alone was 95 guests!) we wanted it to have an
intimate feel – we really wanted everyone to feel truly appreciated and
welcome.Do you have any budget tips for other brides? We
really tried to think carefully about what to invest the most on and
discovered that what was most important (for us, and for our guests) was
to offer experiences rather than materials. There was so much natural
beauty at Vermilionville that we didn’t want to compete with it, and
kept our decorations and flowers simple. And more than anything else, so
many aspects of our wedding were the direct result of dear friends or
family members giving a little bit of time: to bake a cake, to hang some
lights, to arrange some flowers or a table, to decorate the porch, to
select reception music, to play a guitar. These favors helped us
tremendously, and added so much to the day and the weekend. It
personalized our wedding so much, and helped save on our total cost as
well.What was your favorite moment or part of the day?
There were so many! Being surprised by a dear friend who flew in from
Spain for the occasion, riding with just my Dad to meet Jared before the
ceremony, sitting with my Mama in the chapel beforehand, a surprise
piñata at the reception and entire car decorated with chalk art
celebrating our marriage. These definitely stand out. But one of our
favorite moments took place at the very end of our reception, when
“Home” by Edward Sharpe played, and we were surrounded in a circle by
our friends and family. As the song played, Jared and I danced with each
other and spun around, with the market lights twinkling in the
background. As the song came to a close, we were surrounded by a crush
of people, in one huge hug. I was so teary-eyed afterwards, overcome by
how loved and supported we were!Did you include any traditions in your wedding?
Originally, I had planned to place a sterling silver sixpence in my
shoe that my mother had worn in her shoe on her wedding day.
Unfortunately, it was forgotten at my parents’ house, so we taped a dime
in my shoe instead! I was also able to wear a brooch that was my
maternal great-grandmother’s, loaned to me by my godmother. Also, Though
our cake table was rather modern with multiple cakes made by friends,
the largest cake was made by my aunts, and it was the same cake that was
served at my parent’s wedding (vanilla cake, with dark chocolate and
cognac-soaked currants). And my godmother surprised us with the
cake topper that was used for my maternal grandparents’ wedding cake!What was the best advice you received as a bride?
Some of the best advice that we received was: Find a moment, between
the ceremony and the reception, where the two of you can just
be together and take it all in. Eat something, and drink some water,
right after the moment above! You’ll be on your feet the rest of the
evening. Saying hello, and thank you, hugging everyone, and dancing. And
try to spend as much of the reception together as possible. Jared and I
held hands, and just didn’t let go. We were able to create our memories
of that evening, together.What advice do you have for other brides?
My advice for other brides would be: A day-of coordinator is the best
idea ever, whether it’s a family member or a good friend (as ours was),
or someone you hire. Seriously. It. Is. Worth. It. Give them your phone
first thing in the morning and don’t think about it again. Also plan for
something other than your wedding or honeymoon, something after
the wedding and honeymoon. It will help remind you that the wedding is
just the beginning and being married to this person you love so very
much is the most important part of this whole planning process.Via Source

Image: One O.A.K Photography/Sohomode via One Stylish Bride
It’s bridesmaid dress time again! So far you all have been loving
this series, where we’ve already covered some of the other 2013
bridesmaid trends: lace, stripes and ice cream pastels. Which has been your favourite? Today we’re looking at florals, one of the prettiest sides of 2013’s print trend,
and with floral dresses being very much in fashion right now, there’s
plenty to choose from! There are lots of way to do this – mismatch
prints, put bridesmaids in the same dresses – but for me the one I like
best (and that I think will date the least) is to mix prints with block
colours as you’ll see some of the bridesmaids in this roundup do. It’s
such a lovely look! Whatever you do, try to remember the shape of the
dress as well as the print – even with a lot else going on, your girls
want to look their very best. For the same reason, make sure you take
their colouring into account, the way you would do with a solid colour.
As with previous posts in the series, I’ve rounded up my favourite real
bridesmaid looks, as well as some off-the-rack picks for your shopping
pleasure!

The wonderful wedding will really achieved if the closest people are around us. They are bridesmaid who always behind the brides in wedding ceremonial. Bridesmaid wedding of course has very important role in wedding party, for that, the bridesmaid as well it should wear special dresses. The natural look of bridesmaid dresses become the topic at this time. With the same dresses, in bright colors, and natural look is perfect choice for the wedding party complimentary, especially in outdoor wedding party. Floral bridesmaid dresses can provide good natural touch even it in only a few printed floral accents. Long bridesmaid dresses in floral design give the impression of elegance, and this usually wear by the adult, while some bridesmaid choose the short dresses usually they are the young bridesmaid because they prefer a simple and casual that remain the beautiful and graceful look.Via Source

Let's talk about plus size maxi dresses for the next Spring-Summer 2015
season wear. This outfit is a must-have piece for those ladies who love
comfort, function and style. I have collected ideal looks for curvy
shaped women, who are looking for perfect summer layers. The following
maxis give you multiple styling options, as you can team them with
various fabric scarves, bright shoes and bags. Don't forget about
layering your ensemble, as you can cover your shoulders when it's chilly
outside. It's quite funny to know, that many women hearing of long
dresses think of dressy and formal occasion ensembles. Well, it's true
to say, that maxis are elegant, comfy, chic and versatile, meaning that
you try them from casual and formal events. The maxis are ideal for
minimizing large hips and legs. I have gathered few tips on how to
choose a perfect gown for plus-size figures.

If you like spaghetti straps, then it's better to wear them covered with
a jacket, vest or blazer, in order to hide heavy areas. Here we see a
black design covered with a jean vest and styled with wedge open-toe
shoes and dark blue clutch.

The same thing concerns strapless versions. Cover it with a cool denim jacket and update your look with bright jewelry.

Another awesome look includes tribal print ensemble which can be
embellished with cool, black sandals and turquoise envelope clutch.

That's an original India print floor-length style which is embellished with turquoise accessories and jewelry.

No matter your shape and size, there is stylish and flattering options,
like this wrap an cinched at the waist dark red dress worn with red
clutch and heeled sandals and embellished with golden jewelry.

During the warm spring and summer months, stay cool with black and white
monochrome gown which can be updated with fuchsia accessories.

The floral maxi is covered with pale turquoise, cropped and lace cardigan, the same color shoes, bag and earrings.Via Source